Macbeth by Sawy Elsawy

Thunder and lightning. Enter three WITCHES

Thunder and lightning. Three WITCHES enter

FIRST WITCH

When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

When should the three of us meet again? Will it be in thunder, lightning, or rain?

SECOND WITCH

When the hurly-burly's done, When the battle's lost and won.

We'll meet when the noise of the battle is over, when one side has won and the other side has lost.

THIRD WITCH

That will be ere the set of sun.

That will happen before sunset.

FIRST WITCH

Where the place?

Where should we meet?

SECOND WITCH

Upon the heath.

Let's do it in the open field.

THIRD WITCH

There to meet with Macbeth.

We'll meet Macbeth there. The WITCHES hear the calls of their spirit friends or “familiars,” which look like animals—one is a cat and one is a toad.

FIRST WITCH

I come, Graymalkin!

(calling to her cat) I'm coming, Graymalkin!

SECOND WITCH

Paddock calls.

My toad, Paddock, calls me.

THIRD WITCH

Anon.

(to her spirit) I'll be right here!

ALL

Fair is foul, and foul is fair Hover through the fog and filthy air.

Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Let's fly away through the fog and filthy air. They exit. Sounds of a trumpet and soldiers fighting offstage. KING DUNCAN enters with his sons MALCOLM and DONALBAIN, LENNOX, and a number of attendants. They meet a wounded and bloody CAPTAIN.

Exeunt Alarum within. Enter KING DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX, with attendants, meeting a bleeding CAPTAIN DUNCAN

DUNCAN

What bloody man is that? He can report, As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt

Who is this bloody man? Judging from his appearance, I bet he can tell us the latest news about the revolt.

The newest state.

MALCOLM

This is the sergeant Who like a good and hardy soldier fought

This is the brave sergeant who fought to keep me from being captured. Hail, brave friend! Tell the king what was happening

'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend! Say to the king the knowledge of the broil As thou didst leave it.

in the battle when you left it.

CAPTAIN

Doubtful it stood, As two spent swimmers that do cling together And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald— Worthy to be a rebel, for to that

For a while you couldn't tell who would win. The armies were like two exhausted swimmers clinging to each other and struggling in the water, unable to move. The villainous rebel Macdonwald was supported by foot soldiers and horsemen

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The multiplying villanies of nature Do swarm upon him—from the Western Isles

Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied, And fortune, on his damnèd quarrel smiling, Showed like a rebel's whore. But all's too weak, For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valor's minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave;

from Ireland and the Hebrides, and Lady Luck was with him, smiling cruelly at his enemies as if she were his whore. But Luck and Macdonwald together weren't strong enough. Brave Macbeth, laughing at Luck, chopped his way through to Macdonwald, who didn't even have time to say good-bye or shake hands before Macbeth split him open from his navel to his jawbone and stuck his head on our castle walls.

Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements.

DUNCAN

O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!

My brave relative! What a worthy man!

CAPTAIN

As whence the sun 'gins his reflection Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break, So from that spring whence comfort seemed to come Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark: No sooner justice had, with valor armed, Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels, But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage, With furbished arms and new supplies of men, Began a fresh assault.

But in the same way that violent storms always come just as spring appears, our success against Macdonwald created new problems for us. Listen to this, King: as soon as we sent those Irish soldiers running for cover, the Norwegian king saw his chance to attack us with fresh troops and shiny weapons.

DUNCAN

Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?

Didn't this frighten our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?

CAPTAIN

Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. If I say sooth, I must report they were As cannons overcharged with double cracks, So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, Or memorize another Golgotha, I cannot tell— But I am faint, my gashes cry for help.

The new challenge scared them about as much as sparrows frighten eagles, or rabbits frighten a lion. To tell you the truth, they fought the new enemy with twice as much force as before; they were like cannons loaded with double ammunition. Maybe they wanted to take a bath in their enemies' blood, or make that battlefield as infamous as Golgotha, where Christ was

DUNCAN

So well thy words become thee as thy wounds; They smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons. Exit CAPTAIN with attendants Enter ROSS and ANGUS Who comes here?

Your words, like your wounds, bring you honor. Take him to

MALCOLM

The worthy thane of Ross.

crucified, I don't know. But I feel weak. My wounds must be tended to.

the surgeons. The CAPTAIN exits, helped by attendants. ROSS and ANGUS enter. Who is this? The worthy THANE of Ross.

LENNOX

What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he look That seems to speak things strange.

His eyes seem frantic! He looks like someone with a strange tale to tell.

ROSS

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God save the king.

God save the king!

DUNCAN

Whence cam'st thou, worthy thane?

Where have you come from, worthy thane?

ROSS

From Fife, great king, Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky

Great king, I've come from Fife, where the Norwegian flag flies, mocking our country and frightening our people. Leading an enormous army and assisted by that disloyal traitor, the thane of Cawdor, the king of Norway began a bloody battle. But outfitted in his battle-weathered armor, Macbeth met the Norwegian attacks shot for shot, as if he were the goddess of war's husband. Finally he broke the enemy's spirit, and we were victorious.

And fan our people cold. Norway himself, with terrible numbers, Assisted by that most disloyal traitor, The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict, Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapped in proof, Confronted him with self-comparisons, Point against point, rebellious arm 'gainst arm, Curbing his lavish spirit; and to conclude, The victory fell on us. DUNCAN

DUNCAN

Great happiness!

ROSS

That now Sweno, the Norways' king, craves composition. Nor would we deign him burial of his men Till he disbursed at Saint Colme's Inch Ten thousand dollars to our general use.

So now Sweno, the Norwegian king, wants a treaty. We told him we wouldn't even let him bury his men until he retreated to Saint Colme's Inch and paid us ten thousand dollars.

DUNCAN

No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth.

The thane of Cawdor will never again betray me. Go announce that he will be executed, and tell Macbeth that Cawdor's titles will be given to him.

ROSS

I'll see it done.

I'll get it done right away.

DUNCAN

What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. Exeunt Thunder. Enter the three WITCHES

The thane of Cawdor has lost what the noble Macbeth has won. They all exit. Thunder. The three WITCHES enter.

FIRST WITCH

Where hast thou been, sister?

Where have you been, sister?

SECOND WITCH

Killing swine.

Killing pigs.

THIRD WITCH

Sister, where thou?

And you, sister?

FIRST WITCH

A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap, And munched, and munched, and munched. “Give me,” quoth I. “Aroint thee, witch!” the rump-fed runnion cries. Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o' th' Tiger; But in a sieve I'll thither sail, And like a rat without a tail, I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do.

A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap and munched away at them. “Give me one,” I said. “Get away from me, witch!” the fat woman cried. Her husband has sailed off to Aleppo as master of a ship called the Tiger. I'll sail there in a kitchen strainer, turn myself into a tailless rat, and do things to him—

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SECOND WITCH

I'll give thee a wind.

I'll give you some wind to sail there.

FIRST WITCH

Thou 'rt kind.

How nice of you!

THIRD WITCH

And I another.

And I will give you some more.

FIRST WITCH

I myself have all the other, And the very ports they blow, All the quarters that they know

I already have control of all the other winds, along with the ports from which they blow and every direction on the sailor's compass in which they can go. I'll drain the life out of him. He won't catch a wink of sleep, either at night or during the day. He will live as a cursed man. For eighty-one weeks he will waste away in agony.

I' th' shipman's card. I'll drain him dry as hay. Sleep shall neither night nor day Hang upon his penthouse lid.

He shall live a man forbid. Weary sev'nnights nine times nine Shall he dwindle, peak and pine. Though his bark cannot be lost, Yet it shall be tempest-tossed. 25 Look what I have. SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH

Show me, show me.

FIRST WITCH

Here I have a pilot's thumb, Wrecked as homeward he did come.

Here I have the thumb of a pilot who was drowned while trying to return home. A drum sounds offstage.

Drum within 30

Although I can't make his ship disappear, I can still make his journey miserable. Look what I have here.

THIRD WITCH

A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come.

A drum, a drum! Macbeth has come.

ALL

(dancing together in a circle) The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land, Thus do go about, about, Thrice to thine and thrice to mine And thrice again, to make up nine. Peace! The charm's wound up. Enter MACBETH and BANQUO

(dancing together in a circle) We weird sisters, hand in hand, swift travelers over the sea and land, dance around and around like so. Three times to yours, and three times to mine, and three times again, to add up to nine. Enough! The charm is

MACBETH

So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

(to BANQUO) I have never seen a day that was so good and bad at the same time.

BANQUO

How far is 't called to Forres?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;What are these So withered and so wild in their attire, That look not like th' inhabitants o' th' Earth, And yet are on 't?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Live you? Or are you aught That man may question? You seem to understand me, By each at once her choppy finger laying

How far is it supposed to be to Forres? (he sees the WITCHES) What are these creatures? They're so withered-looking and crazily dressed. They don't look like they belong on this planet, but I see them standing here on Earth. (to the WITCHES) Are you alive? Can you answer questions? You seem to understand me, because each of you has put a gruesome finger to her

ready.

MACBETH and BANQUO enter.

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Upon her skinny lips. You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret

skinny lips. You look like women, but your beards keep me from believing that you really are.

That you are so. MACBETH

MACBETH

Speak, if you can: what are you?

FIRST WITCH

All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!

All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, thane of Glamis!

SECOND WITCH

All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, thane of Cawdor!

THIRD WITCH

All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!

All hail, Macbeth, the future king!

BANQUO

Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair? (to the WITCHES) I' th' name of

My dear Macbeth, why do you look so startled and afraid of these nice things they're saying? (to the WITCHES) Tell me honestly, are you illusions, or are you really what you seem to be? You've greeted my noble friend with honors and talk of a future so glorious that you've made him speechless. But you don't say anything to me. If you can see the future and say how things will turn out, tell me. I don't want your favors and I'm not afraid of your hatred.

truth, Are ye fantastical, or that indeed Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner You greet with present grace and great prediction Of noble having and of royal hope, That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not. If you can look into the seeds of time And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear Your favors nor your hate. FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH

Hail!

SECOND WITCH

Hail!

THIRD WITCH

Hail!

FIRST WITCH

Lesser than Macbeth and greater.

You are lesser than Macbeth but also greater.

SECOND WITCH

Not so happy, yet much happier.

You are not as happy as Macbeth, yet much happier.

THIRD WITCH

Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!

Your descendants will be kings, even though you will not be one. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! FIRST WITCH

FIRST

Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!

WITCH 70

Speak, if you can. What kind of creatures are you?

FIRST WITCH

Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!

MACBETH

Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more. By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis. But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives, A prosperous gentleman, and to be king Stands not within the prospect of belief, No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence, or why

Wait! You only told me part of what I want to know. Stay and tell me more. I already know I am the thane of Glamis because I inherited the position when my father, Sinel, died. But how can you call me the thane of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor is alive, and he's a rich and powerful man. And for me to be the king is completely impossible, just as it's impossible for me to be thane of Cawdor. Tell me where you learned these strange

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Upon this blasted heath you stop our way With such prophetic greeting. Speak, I charge you.

things, and why you stop us at this desolate place with this prophetic greeting? Speak, I command you.

WITCHES vanish 80

The WITCHESvanish.

BANQUO

The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, And these are of them. Whither are they vanished?

The earth has bubbles, just like the water, and these creatures must have come from a bubble in the earth. Where did they disappear to?

MACBETH

Into the air, and what seemed corporal Melted, as breath into the wind. Would they had stayed.

Into thin air. Their bodies melted like breath in the wind. I wish they had stayed!

BANQUO

Were such things here as we do speak about? Or have we eaten on the insane root That takes the reason prisoner?

Were these things we're talking about really here? Or are we both on drugs?

MACBETH

Your children shall be kings.

Your children will be kings.

BANQUO

You shall be king.

You will be the king.

MACBETH

And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so?

And thane of Cawdor too. Isn't that what they said?

BANQUO

To the selfsame tune and words. Who's here? Enter ROSS and ANGUS

That's exactly what they said. Who's this?

ROSS

The king hath happily received, Macbeth, The news of thy success, and when he reads Thy personal venture in the rebels' fight, His wonders and his praises do contend Which should be thine or his. Silenced with that, 95 In viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day, He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks, Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, Strange images of death. As thick as tale Can post with post, and every one did bear 100 Thy praises in his kingdom's great defense, 90

ROSS and ANGUS enter.

The king was happy to hear of your success, Macbeth. Whenever he hears the story of your exploits in the fight against the rebels, he becomes so amazed it makes him speechless. He was also shocked to learn that on the same day you fought the rebels you also fought against the army of Norway, and that you weren't the least bit afraid of death, even as you killed everyone around you. Messenger after messenger delivered news of your bravery to the king with praise for how you defended his country.

And poured them down before him. ANGUS

ANGUS

We are sent To give thee from our royal master thanks,

The king sent us to give you his thanks and to bring you to him. Your real reward won't come from us.

Only to herald thee into his sight, Not pay thee. ROSS 105 And, for an earnest of a greater honor,

ROSS

And to give you a taste of what's in store for you, he told me to

He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor: In which addition, hail, most worthy thane, For it is thine.

call you the thane of Cawdor. So hail, thane of Cawdor! That title belongs to you now.

BANQUO

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What, can the devil speak true? MACBETH

(shocked) Can the devil tell the truth? MACBETH

The thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me 110 In borrowed robes? ANGUS

The thane of Cawdor is still alive. Why are you putting his clothes on me? ANGUS

Who was the thane lives yet,

115 He labored

The man who was the thane of Cawdor is still alive, but he's been sentenced to death, and he deserves to die. I don't know whether he fought on Norway's side, or if he secretly aided the rebels, or if he fought with both of our enemies. But his treason, which has been proven, and to which he's confessed, means he's finished.

MACBETH

But under heavy judgment bears that life Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was combined With those of Norway, or did line the rebel With hidden help and vantage, or that with both in his country's wrack, I know not; But treasons capital, confessed and proved, Have overthrown him.

120

(aside) Glamis, and thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Thanks for your pains. (aside to BANQUO) Do you not hope your children shall be kings, When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me Promised no less to them?

BANQUO

That, trusted home, Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange. 125 And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray 's In deepest consequence. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Cousins, a word, I pray you. BANQUO , ROSS, and ANGUS move to one side MACBETH 130 (aside)

Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme. (to ROSS and ANGUS) I thank you, gentlemen. (aside) This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, 135 Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, 140 Against the use of nature? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,

(to himself) It's just like they said窶馬ow I'm the thane of Glamis and the thane of Cawdor. And the best part of what they predicted is still to come. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Thank you for the news. (speaking so that only BANQUO can hear) Aren't you beginning to hope your children will be kings? After all, the witches who said I was thane of Cawdor promised them nothing less. BANQUO

If you trust what they say, you might be on your way to becoming king, as well as thane of Cawdor. But this whole thing is strange. The agents of evil often tell us part of the truth in order to lead us to our destruction. They earn our trust by telling us the truth about little things, but then they betray us when it will damage us the most. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Gentlemen, I'd like to have a word with you, please. ROSS, ANGUS, and BANQUO move to one side. MACBETH

(to himself) So far the witches have told me two things that came true, so it seems like this will culminate in my becoming king. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Thank you, gentlemen. (to himself) This supernatural temptation doesn't seem like it can be a bad thing, but it can't be good either. If it's a bad thing, why was I promised a promotion that turned out to be true? Now I'm the thane of Cawdor, just like they said I would be. But if this is a good thing, why do I find myself thinking about murdering King Duncan, a thought so horrifying that it makes my hair stand on end and my heart pound inside my chest? The dangers that actually threaten me here and now frighten me less than the horrible things I'm imagining. Even though it's just a fantasy so far, the mere thought of committing murder shakes me up so much that I hardly know

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Shakes so my single state of man That function is smothered in 145

surmise, And nothing is but what is not.

BANQUO

Look how our partner's rapt.

Look at Macbethâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;he's in a daze.

MACBETH

(aside) If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir.

(to himself) If fate wants me to be king, perhaps fate will just make it happen and I won't have to do anything.

BANQUO

New honors come upon him, strange garments, cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use.

(to ROSS and ANGUS) Macbeth is not used to his new titles. They're like new clothes: they don't fit until you break them in over time.

MACBETH

(aside) Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.

(to himself) One way or another, what's going to happen is going to happen.

BANQUO

Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.

Good Macbeth, we're ready when you are.

MACBETH

150 Like our

155 Give me your

favor. My dull brain was wrought With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains Are registered where every day I turn The leaf to read them. Let us toward the king. (aside to BANQUO) Think upon what hath chanced, and, at more time, 160 The interim having weighed it, let us speak Our free hearts each to other.

I beg your pardon; I was distracted. Kind gentlemen, I won't forget the trouble you've taken for me whenever I think of this day. Let's go to the king. (speaking so that only BANQUO can hear) Think about what happened today, and when we've both had time to consider things, let's talk.

BANQUO

Very gladly.

Absolutely.

MACBETH

Till then, enough. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Come, friends.

Until then, we've said enough. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Let's go, my friends. They all exit. A trumpet fanfare sounds. KING DUNCAN, LENNOX, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, and their attendants enter.

Exeunt Flourish. Enter KING DUNCAN, LENNOX, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, and attendants

who I am anymore. My ability to act is stifled by my thoughts and speculations, and the only things that matter to me are things that don't really exist.

DUNCAN

Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not Those in commission yet returned?

Has the former thane of Cawdor been executed yet? Haven't

MALCOLM

My liege, They are not yet come back. But I have spoke With one that saw him die, who did report That very frankly he confessed his treasons, Implored your highness' pardon, and set forth A deep repentance. Nothing in his life Became him like the leaving it. He died As one that had been studied in his death

My king, they haven't come back yet. But I spoke with someone who saw Cawdor die, and he said that Cawdor openly confessed his treasons, begged your highness's forgiveness, and repented deeply. He never did anything in his whole life that looked as good as the way he died. He died like someone who had practiced how to toss away his most cherished possession as if it were a worthless a piece of garbage.

the people in charge of that come back?

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To throw away the dearest thing he owed As 'twere a careless trifle. DUNCAN

DUNCAN

There's no art To find the mind's construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built

There's no way to read a man's mind by looking at his face. I trusted Cawdor completely.

An absolute trust. Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUS (to MACBETH) O worthiest cousin, The sin of my ingratitude even now Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before That swiftest wing of recompense is slow To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved, That the proportion both of thanks and payment

MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS , and ANGUS enter. (to MACBETH) My worthiest kinsman! Just this moment I was feeling guilty for not having thanked you enough. You have done so much for me so fast that it has been impossible to reward you properly. If you deserved less, then perhaps my payment would have matched your deeds! All I can say is that I owe you more than I can ever repay.

Might have been mine! Only I have left to say, More is thy due than more than all can pay. MACBETH

MACBETH

The service and the loyalty I owe In doing it pays itself. Your highness' part Is to receive our duties, and our duties Are to your throne and state children and servants, Which do but what they should, by doing everything Safe toward your love and honor.

The opportunity to serve you is its own reward. Your only duty, your highness, is to accept what we owe you. Our duty to you and your state is like the duty of children to their father or servants to their master. By doing everything we can to protect you, we're only doing what we should.

DUNCAN

Welcome hither. I have begun to plant thee, and will labor To make thee full of growing. (to BANQUO) Noble Banquo, That hast no less deserved, nor must be known No less to have done so, let me infold thee And hold thee to my heart.

You are welcome here. By making you thane of Cawdor, I have planted the seeds of a great career for you, and I will make sure they grow. (to BANQUO) Noble Banquo, you deserve no less than Macbeth, and everyone should know it. Let me bring you close to me and give you the benefit of my love and good will.

BANQUO

There, if I grow, The harvest is your own.

Then if I accomplish anything great, it will be a credit to you.

DUNCAN

My plenteous joys, Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves In drops of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen, thanes, And you whose places are the nearest, know We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter The prince of Cumberland; which honor must Not unaccompanied invest him only, But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine On all deservers. (to MACBETH) From hence to Inverness, And bind us further to you.

My joy is so overwhelming it brings tears to my eyes. My sons, relatives, lords, and all those closest to me, I want you to witness that I will bestow my kingdom on my eldest son, Malcolm. Today I name him the prince of Cumberland. But

MACBETH

The rest is labor which is not used for you: I'll be myself the harbinger and make joyful

I'm not happy unless I can be working for you. I will go ahead and bring my wife the good news that you are coming. With

Malcolm isn't going to be alone in receiving honorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;titles of nobility will shine like stars on all of you who deserve them. (to MACBETH) And now, let's go to your castle at Inverness, where I will become even more obliged to you because of your hospitality.

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The hearing of my wife with your approach. So humbly take my leave.

that, I'll be off.

DUNCAN

My worthy Cawdor!

MACBETH 50

MACBETH

(aside) The prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be

Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. Exit

DUNCAN

True, worthy Banquo. He is full so valiant,

(to BANQUO, in the middle of a conversation we haven't heard) You're right, Banquo. Macbeth is every bit as valiant as you say, and I am satisfied with these praises of him. Let's follow after him, now that he has gone ahead to prepare our welcome. He is a man without equal. Trumpet fanfare. They exit. LADY MACBETH enters, reading a letter.

And in his commendations I am fed; It is a banquet to me.—Let's after him, Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome: It is a peerless kinsman. Flourish. Exeunt Enter LADY MACBETH, alone, with a letter

(to himself) Malcolm is now the prince of Cumberland! To become king myself, I'm either going to have to step over him or give up, because he's in my way. Stars, hide your light so no one can see the terrible desires within me. I won't let my eye look at what my hand is doing, but in the end I'm still going to do that thing I'd be horrified to see. MACBETH exits.

LADY MACBETH

(reading) “They met me in the day of success, and I have learned by the perfectest report they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives from the king, who all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor,' by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time with 'Hail, king that shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou might'st not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.” Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou'ld'st have, great Glamis, That which cries, “Thus thou must do,” if thou have it, And that which rather thou dost fear to do, Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round, Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal.

“The witches met me on the day of my victory in battle, and I have since learned that they have supernatural knowledge. When I tried desperately to question them further, they vanished into thin air. While I stood spellbound, messengers from the king arrived and greeted me as the thane of Cawdor, which is precisely how the weird sisters had saluted me before calling me 'the future king!' I thought I should tell you this news, my dearest partner in greatness, so that you could rejoice along with me about the greatness that is promised to us. Keep it secret, and farewell.” (she looks up from the letter) You are thane of Glamis and Cawdor, and you're going to be king, just like you were promised. But I worry about whether or not you have what it takes to seize the crown. You are too full of the milk of human kindness to strike aggressively at your first opportunity. You want to be powerful, and you don't lack ambition, but you don't have the mean streak that these things call for. The things you want to do, you want to do like a good man. You don't want to cheat, yet you want what doesn't belong to you. There's something you want, but you're afraid to do what you need to do to get it. You want it to be done for you. Hurry home so I can persuade you and talk you out of whatever's keeping you from going after the crown. After all, fate and witchcraft both seem to want you to be king.

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Enter SERVANT What is your tidings?

What news do you bring?

SERVANT

The king comes here tonight.

The king is coming here tonight.

LADY MACBETH

Thou 'rt mad to say it. 20

You must be crazy to say that! Isn't Macbeth with the king, and

Is not thy master with him, who, were 't so, Would have informed for preparation?

wouldn't Macbeth have told me in advance so I could prepare, if the king were really coming?

SERVANT

So please you, it is true: our thane is coming.

I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Macbeth is coming. He sent a messenger ahead of him who arrived here so out of breath that he could barely speak his message.

One of my fellows had the speed of him, Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Than would make up his message. LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH

Give him tending. He brings great news.

Take good care of him. He brings great news. Exit SERVANT

A SERVANT enters.

The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood. Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it! Come to my woman's breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature's mischief. Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark To cry “Hold, hold!” Enter MACBETH Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter, Thy letters have transported me beyond This ignorant present, and I feel now The future in the instant.

The SERVANT exits. So the messenger is short of breath, like a hoarse raven, as he announces Duncan's entrance into my fortress, where he will die. Come, you spirits that asist murderous thoughts, make me less like a woman and more like a man, and fill me from head to toe with deadly cruelty! Thicken my blod and clog up my veins so I won't feel remorse, so that no human compassion can stop my evil plan or prevent me from accomplishing it! Come to my female breast and turn my mother's milk into poisonous acid, you murdering demons, wherever you hide, invisible and waiting to do evil! Come, thick night, and cover the world in the darkest smoke of hell, so that my sharp knife can't see the wound it cuts open, and so heaven can't peep through the darkness and cry, “No! Stop!”

MACBETH enters.

Great thane of Glamis! Worthy thane of Cawdor! You'll soon be greater than both those titles, once you become king! Your letter has transported me from the present moment, when who knows what will happen, and has made me feel like the future is already here.

MACBETH

My dearest love, Duncan comes here tonight.

My dearest love, Duncan is coming here tonight.

LADY MACBETH

And when goes hence?

And when is he leaving?

MACBETH

Tomorrow, as he purposes.

He plans to leave tomorrow.

LADY MACBETH

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O, never Shall sun that morrow see!

Your face, my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters. To beguile the time, Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue. Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under 't. He that's coming Must be provided for; and you shall put This night's great business into my dispatch, Which shall to all our nights and days to come

That day will never come. Your face betrays strange feelings, my lord, and people will be able to read it like a book. In order to deceive them, you must appear the way they expect you to look. Greet the king with a welcoming expression in your eyes, your hands, and your words. You should look like an innocent flower, but be like the snake that hides underneath the flower. The king is coming, and he's got to be taken care of. Let me handle tonight's preparations, because tonight will change every night and day for the rest of our lives.

Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.

MACBETH

We will speak further.

We will speak about this further.

LADY MACBETH

Only look up clear. To alter favor ever is to fear. Leave all the rest to me.

You should project a peaceful mood, because if you look troubled, you will arouse suspicion. Leave all the rest to me.

Exeunt hautboys and torches. Enter KING DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF, ROSS, ANGUS, and attendants

They exit. The stage is lit by torches. Hautboys play. DUNCAN enters, together with MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF, ROSS, ANGUS , and their attendants.

DUNCAN

This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses.

This castle is in a pleasant place. The air is sweet and appeals to my refined senses.

BANQUO

This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his loved mansionry, that the heaven's breath Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze, Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle. Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed, The air is delicate. Enter LADY MACBETH

The fact that this summer bird, the house martin, builds his nests here proves how inviting the breezes are. There isn't a single protrusion in the castle walls where these birds haven't built their hanging nests to sleep and breed. I've noticed that they always like to settle and mate where the air is the nicest.

DUNCAN

See, see, our honored hostess! The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you How you shall bid God 'ild us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble.

Look, here comes our honored hostess! Sometimes the love my subjects bring me is inconvenient, but I still accept it as love. In doing so, I'm teaching you to thank me for the incovenience I'm causing you by being here, because it comes from my love to you.

LADY MACBETH

All our service, In every point twice done and then done double, Were poor and single business to contend Against those honors deep and broad wherewith Your majesty loads our house. For those of old, And the late dignities heaped up to them,

Everything we're doing for you, even if it were doubled and then doubled again, is nothing compared to the honors you have brought to our family. We gladly welcome you as our guests, with gratitude for both the honors you've given us before and the new honors you've just given us.

LADY MACBETH enters.

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We rest your hermits.

DUNCAN

Where's the thane of Cawdor? We coursed him at the heels and had a purpose To be his purveyor; but he rides well, And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him 25

To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, We are your guest tonight.

LADY MACBETH

Your servants ever Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in compt, To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, Still to return your own.

We are your servants, your highness, and as always our house and everything in it is at your disposal, for after all, we keep it in your trust and we're glad to give you back what's yours.

DUNCAN

Give me your hand. Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly And shall continue our graces towards him. By your leave, hostess.

Give me your hand. Bring me to my host, Macbeth. I love him dearly, and I shall continue to favor him. Whenever you're ready, hostess.

Exeunt Hautboys. Torches. Enter a sewer and divers servants with dishes and service over the stage. Then enter MACBETH

Where is Macbeth, the thane of Cawdor? We followed closely after him. I hoped to arrive here before him, but he rides swiftly. And his great love, which is as sharp as his spur, helped him beat us here. Fair and noble hostess, we are your guests tonight.

They all exit. Hautboys play. The stage is lit by torches. A butler enters, and various servants carry utensils and dishes of food across the stage. Then MACBETH enters.

MACBETH

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly. If the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success; that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgment here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague th' inventor: this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. He's here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off; And pity, like a naked newborn babe, Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur

If this business would really be finished when I did the deed, then it would be best to get it over with quickly. If the assassination of the king could work like a net, sweeping up everything and preventing any consequences, then the murder would be the be-all and end-all of the whole affair, and I would gladly put my soul and the afterlife at risk to do it. But for crimes like these there are still punishments in this world. By committing violent crimes we only teach other people to commit violence, and the violence of our students will come back to plague us teachers. Justice, being equal to everyone, forces us to drink from the poisoned cup that we serve to others. The king trusts me in two ways. First of all, I am his kinsman and his subject, so I should always try to protect him. Second, I am his host, so I should be closing the door in his murderer's face, not trying to murder him myself. Besides, Duncan has been such a humble leader, so free of corruption, that his virtuous legacy will speak for him when he dies, as if angels were playing trumpets against the injustice of his murder. Pity, like an innocent newborn baby, will ride the wind with winged angels on invisible horses through the air to spread news of the horrible deed to everyone everywhere. People will shed a flood of tears that will drown the wind like a horrible downpour of rain. I can't spur myself to action. The only thing motivating me is ambition, which makes people rush ahead of themselves toward disaster.

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To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on th' other. Enter LADY MACBETH How now! What news?

LADY MACBETH

He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

He has almost finished dinner. Why did you leave the dining room?

MACBETH

Hath he asked for me?

Has he asked for me?

LADY MACBETH

Know you not he has?

LADY MACBETH enters.

What news do you have?

Don't you know he has?

MACBETH

We will proceed no further in this business.

We can't go on with this plan. The king has just honored me, and I have earned the good opinion of all sorts of people. I want to enjoy these honors while the feeling is fresh and not throw them away so soon.

He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH

Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valor As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would, ” Like the poor cat i' th' adage?

Were you drunk when you seemed so hopeful before? Have you gone to sleep and woken up green and pale in fear of this idea? From now on this is what I'll think of your love. Are you afraid to act the way you desire? Will you take the crown you want so badly, or will you live as a coward, always saying “I can't” after you say “I want to”? You're like the poor cat in the old story.

MACBETH

Prithee, peace: I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none.

Please, stop! I dare to do only what is proper for a man to do. He who dares to do more is not a man at all.

LADY MACBETH

What beast was 't, then, That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. They have made themselves, and that their fitness now Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this.

If you weren't a man, then what kind of animal were you when you first told me you wanted to do this? When you dared to do it, that's when you were a man. And if you go one step further by doing what you dared to do before, you'll be that much more the man. The time and place weren't right before, but you would have gone ahead with the murder anyhow. Now the time and place are just right, but they're almost too good for you. I have suckled a baby, and I know how sweet it is to love the baby at my breast. But even as the baby was smiling up at me, I would have plucked my nipple out of its mouth and smashed its brains out against a wall if I had sworn to do that the same way you have sworn to do this.

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MACBETH

If we should fail?

But if we fail—

LADY MACBETH

We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep— Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey

We, fail? If you get your courage up, we can't fail. When Duncan is asleep—the day's hard journey has definitely made him tired—I'll get his two servants so drunk that their memory will go up in smoke through the chimneys of their brains. When they lie asleep like pigs, so drunk they'll be dead to the world, what won't you and I be able to do to the unguarded Duncan? And whatever we do, we can lay all the blame on the drunken servants.

Soundly invite him—his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassail so convince That memory, the warder of the brain, Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep Their drenchèd natures lie as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell? MACBETH

MACBETH

Bring forth men-children only, For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be received, When we have marked with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, That they have done 't?

May you only give birth to male children, because your fearless spirit should create nothing that isn't masculine. Once we have covered the two servants with blood, and used their daggers to kill, won't people believe that they were the culprits?

LADY

LADY MACBETH

MACBETH

Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Upon his death?

Who could think it happened any other way? We'll be grieving loudly when we hear that Duncan has died.

MACBETH

I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know. Exeunt

Now I'm decided, and I will exert every muscle in my body to commit this crime. Go now, and pretend to be a friendly hostess. Hide with a false pleasant face what you know in your false, evil heart. They exit.

Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE, with a torch before him

BANQUO enters with FLEANCE, who lights the way with a

torch. BANQUO

BANQUO

How goes the night, boy?

How's the night going, boy?

FLEANCE

The moon is down. I have not heard the clock.

The moon has set. The clock hasn't struck yet.

BANQUO

And she goes down at twelve.

The moon sets at twelve, right?

FLEANCE

I take 't 'tis later, sir.

I think it's later than that, sir.

BANQUO

Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven;

Here, take my sword. The heavens are being stingy with their

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Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursĂ¨d thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose. Enter MACBETH and a SERVANT with a torch Give me my sword. Who's there?

Give me my sword. Who's there? MACBETH

A friend.

BANQUO

What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's a-bed. He hath been in unusual pleasure, and Sent forth great largess to your offices. This diamond he greets your wife withal,

You're not asleep yet, sir? The king's in bed. He's been in an unusually good mood and has granted many gifts to your household and servants. This diamond is a present from him to your wife for her boundless hospitality. (he hands MACBETH a

By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up In measureless content.

diamond)

MACBETH

Being unprepared, Our will became the servant to defect, Which else should free have wrought.

Because we were unprepared for the king's visit, we weren't able to entertain him as well as we would have wanted to.

BANQUO

All's well. I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters: To you they have showed some truth.

Everything's OK. I had a dream last night about the three witches. At least part of what they said about you was true.

MACBETH

I think not of them. Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, We would spend it in some words upon that business, If you would grant the time.

I don't think about them now. But when we have an hour to spare we can talk more about it, if you're willing.

BANQUO

At your kind'st leisure.

MACBETH enters with a SERVANT, who carries a torch.

MACBETH

BANQUO

light. Take this, too. I'm tired and feeling heavy, but I can't sleep. Merciful powers, keep away the nightmares that plague me when I rest!

Whenever you like.

MACBETH

If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, It shall make honor for you.

If you stick with me, when the time comes, there will be something in it for you.

BANQUO

So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counselled.

I'll do whatever you say, as long as I can do it with a clear conscience.

MACBETH

Good repose the while!

Rest easy in the meantime.

BANQUO

Thanks, sir: the like to you!

Thank you, sir. You do the same. Exeunt BANQUO and FLEANCE

BANQUO and FLEANCE exit.

MACBETH

(to the SERVANT) Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. Exit SERVANT

(to the SERVANT) Go and tell your mistress to strike the bell when my drink is ready. Get yourself to bed. The SERVANT exits.

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Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. 35

I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw. Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going, And such an instrument I was to use. Mine eyes are made the fools o' th' other senses, Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still, And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Which was not so before. There's no such thing. It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one half-world Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse The curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate's offerings, and withered murder, Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf, Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth, Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives. Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. A bell rings

A bell rings.

Exit Enter LADY MACBETH

I'm going now. The murder is as good as done. The bell is telling me to do it. Don't listen to the bell, Duncan, because it summons you either to heaven or to hell. MACBETH exits. LADY MACBETH enters.

I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.

Is this a dagger I see in front of me, with its handle pointing toward my hand? (to the dagger) Come, let me hold you. (he grabs at the air in front of him without touching anything) I don't have you but I can still see you. Fateful apparition, isn't it possible to touch you as well as see you? Or are you nothing more than a dagger created by the mind, a hallucination from my fevered brain? I can still see you, and you look as real as this other dagger that I'm pulling out now. (he draws a dagger) You're leading me toward the place I was going already, and I was planning to use a weapon just like you. My eyesight must either be the one sense that's not working, or else it's the only one that's working right. I can still see you, and I see blood splotches on your blade and handle that weren't there before. (to himself) There's no dagger here. It's the murder I'm about to do that's making me think I see one. Now half the world is asleep and being deceived by evil nightmares. Witches are offering sacrifices to their goddess Hecate. Old man murder, having been roused by the howls of his wolf, walks silently to his destination, moving like Tarquin , as quiet as a ghost. (speaking to the ground) Hard ground, don't listen to the direction of my steps. I don't want you to echo back where I am and break the terrible stillness of this moment, a silence that is so appropriate for what I'm about to do. While I stay here talking, Duncan lives. The more I talk, the more my courage cools.

LADY MACBETH

That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold. What hath quenched them hath given me fire. Hark! Peace! It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman, Which gives the stern'st good-night. He is about it. The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms Do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged their possets, That death and nature do contend about them, Whether they live or die.

The alcohol that got the servants drunk has made me bold. The same liquor that quenched their thirst has fired me up. Listen! Quiet! That was the owl that shrieked, with a scary “good night” like the bells they ring before they execute people. Macbeth must be killing the king right now. The doors to Duncan's chamber are open, and the drunk servants make a mockery of their jobs by snoring instead of protecting the king. I put so many drugs in their drinks that you can't tell if they're alive or dead.

MACBETH

(within) LADY MACBETH

Who's there? What, ho!

(from offstage) Who's there? What is it? LADY MACBETH

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Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, And 'tis not done. Th' attempt and not the deed Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready; He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done 't. Enter MACBETH, with bloody daggers My husband!

Oh no, I'm afraid the servants woke up, and the murder didn't happen. For us to attempt murder and not succeed would ruin us. (She hears a noise.) Listen to that! I put the servants' daggers where Macbeth would find them. He couldn't have missed them. If Duncan hadn't reminded me of my father when I saw him sleeping, I would have killed him myself. MACBETH enters carrying Obloody daggers. My husband!

MACBETH

I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?

I have done the deed. Did you hear a noise?

LADY MACBETH

I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?

I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Didn't you say something?

MACBETH

When?

LADY

LADY MACBETH

MACBETH

Just now. Now.

MACBETH

As I descended?

LADY MACBETH

Ay.

Yes.

MACBETH

Hark! Who lies i' th' second chamber? 20

Listen! Who's sleeping in the second chamber?

LADY MACBETH

Donalbain.

MACBETH

(looking at his hands) This is a sorry sight.

(looking at his bloody hands) This is a sorry sight.

LADY MACBETH

A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.

That's a stupid thing to say.

MACBETH

There's one did laugh in 's sleep, and one cried. “Murder!” That they did wake each other. I stood and heard them. But they did say their prayers, and addressed them Again to sleep.

One of the servants laughed in his sleep, and one cried, “Murder!” and they woke each other up. I stood and listened to them, but then they said their prayers and went back to sleep.

LADY MACBETH

There are two lodged together.

As I came down?

LADY MACBETH

Malcolm and Donalbain are asleep in the same room.

MACBETH

One cried, “God bless us!” and “Amen” the other, As they had seen me with these hangman's hands. List'ning their fear I could not say “Amen,” When they did say “God bless us!”

One servant cried, “God bless us!” and the other replied, “Amen,” as if they had seen my bloody hands. Listening to their frightened voices, I couldn't reply “Amen” when they said “God bless us!”

LADY MACBETH

Consider it not so deeply.

Don't think about it so much.

MACBETH

But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”? I had most need of blessing, and “Amen” Stuck in my throat.

But why couldn't I say “Amen”? I desperately needed God's blessing, but the word “Amen” stuck in my throat.

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LADY MACBETH

These deeds must not be thought 35

After these ways. So, it will make us mad.

MACBETH

Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”—the innocent sleep,

Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, Chief nourisher in life's feast.

LADY MACBETH

I thought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth is murdering sleep.” Innocent sleep. Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds. Sleep, the main course in life's feast, and the most nourishing. LADY MACBETH

What do you mean?

We can't think that way about what we did. If we do, it'll drive us crazy.

What are you talking about?

MACBETH

Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”

The voice kept crying, “Sleep no more!” to everyone in the house. “Macbeth has murdered sleep, and therefore Macbeth will sleep no more.”

LADY MACBETH

Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane, You do unbend your noble strength to think So brainsickly of things. Go get some water, And wash this filthy witness from your hand. Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there. Go carry them and smear The sleepy grooms with blood.

Who said that? Why, my worthy lord, you let yourself become weak when you think about things in this cowardly way. Go get some water and wash this bloody evidence from your hands. Why did you carry these daggers out of the room? They have to stay there. Go take them back and smear the sleeping guards with the blood.

MACBETH

I'll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on 't again I dare not.

I can't go back. I'm afraid even to think about what I've done. I can't stand to look at it again.

LADY MACBETH

Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt.

Coward! Give me the daggers. Dead and sleeping people can't hurt you any more than pictures can. Only children are afraid of scary pictures. If Duncan bleeds I'll paint the servants' faces with his blood. We must make it seem like they're guilty.

LADY MACBETH exits. A sound of knocking from offstage.

Exit Knock within MACBETH

MACBETH

Whence is that knocking? How is 't with me when every noise appals me? What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red. Enter LADY MACBETH

Where is that knocking coming from? What's happening to me, that I'm frightened of every noise? (looking at his hands) Whose hands are these? Ha! They're plucking out my eyes. Will all the water in the ocean wash this blood from my hands? No, instead my hands will stain the seas scarlet, turning the green waters red. LADY MACBETH enters.

LADY MACBETH

My hands are of your color, but I shame

My hands are as red as yours, but I would be ashamed if my

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To wear a heart so white. Knock within I hear a knocking At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber. A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then! Your constancy 70

I hear someone knocking at the south entry. Let's go back to our bedroom. A little water will wash away the evidence of our guilt. It's so simple! You've lost your resolve.

Hath left you unattended. Knock within Hark! More knocking. Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us And show us to be watchers. Be not lost So poorly in your thoughts.

heart were as pale and weak. A sound of knocking from offstage.

A sound of knocking from offstage. Listen! There's more knocking. Put on your nightgown, in case someone comes and sees that we're awake. Snap out of your daze.

MACBETH

To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself. Knock within Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst. Exeunt Enter a PORTER. Knocking within

Rather than have to think about my crime, I'd prefer to be completely unconscious. A sound of knocking from offstage. Wake Duncan with your knocking. I wish you could! They exit. A sound of knocking from offstage. A PORTER , who is

PORTER

Here's a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key.

This is a lot of knocking! Come to think of it, if a man were in charge of opening the gates of hell to let people in, he would have to turn the key a lot. A sound of knocking from offstage. Knock, knock, knock! (pretending he's the gatekeeper in hell) Who's there, in the devil's name? Maybe it's a farmer who killed himself because grain was cheap. (talking to the imaginary farmer) You're here just in time! I hope you brought some handkerchiefs; you're going to sweat a lot here. A sound of knocking from offstage. Knock, knock! Who's there, in the other devil's name? Maybe it's some slick, two-faced con man who lied under oath. But he found out that you can't lie to God, and now he's going to hell for perjury. Come on in, con man. A sound of knocking from offstage. Knock, knock, knock! Who's there? Maybe it's an English tailor who liked to skimp on the fabric for people's clothes. But now that tight pants are in fashion he can't get away with it. Come on in, tailor. You can heat your iron up in here. A sound of knocking from offstage. Knock, knock! Never a moment of peace! Who are you? Ah, this place is too cold to be hell. I won't pretend to be the devil's porter anymore. I was going to let someone from every profession into hell. A sound of knocking from offstage. I'm coming, I'm coming! Please, don't forget to leave me a tip.

obviously drunk, enters.

Knock within Knock, knock, knock! Who's there, i' th' name of Beelzebub? Here's a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty. Come in time, have napkins enough about you, here you'll sweat for 't.

Knock within Knock, knock! Who's there, in th' other devil's name? Faith, here's an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven. O, come in, equivocator. Knock within Knock, knock, knock! Who's there? Faith, here's an English tailor come hither for stealing out of a French hose. Come in, tailor. Here you may roast your goose.

Knock within Knock, knock! Never at quiet. What are you? But this place is too cold for hell. I'll devil-porter it no further. I had thought to have let in some of all professions that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire. Knock within Anon, anon! I pray you, remember the porter.

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The PORTER opens the gate. MACDUFF and LENNOX enter.

Opens the gate Enter MACDUFF and LENNOX

MACDUFF

Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, That you do lie so late?

Did you go to bed so late, my friend, that you're having a hard time getting up now?

PORTER

'Faith sir, we were carousing till the second cock. And drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.

That's right sir, we were drinking until 3 A.M., and drink, sir, makes a man do three things.

MACDUFF

What three things does drink especially provoke?

What three things does drink make a man do?

PORTER

Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes. It provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore, much drink may be said to be

Drinking turns your nose red, it puts you to sleep, and it makes you urinate. Lust it turns on but also turns off. What I mean is, drinking stimulates desire but hinders performance. Therefore,

an equivocator with lechery. It makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.

too much drink is like a con artist when it comes to your sex drive. It sets you up for a fall. It gets you up but it keeps you from getting off. It persuades you and discourages you. It gives you an erection but doesn't let you keep it, if you see what I'm saying. It makes you dream about erotic experiences, but then it leaves you asleep and needing to pee.

MACDUFF

I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.

I believe drink did all of this to you last night.

PORTER

That it did, sir, i' th' very throat on me; but I requited him for his lie, and, I think, being too strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him. MACDUFF 15

It did, sir. It got me right in the throat. But I got even with drink. I was too strong for it. Although it weakened my legs and made me unsteady, I managed to vomit it out and laid it flat on the ground. MACDUFF

Is thy master stirring?

Is your master awake? Enter MACBETH

Our knocking has awaked him. Here he comes.

Our knocking woke him up. Here he comes.

LENNOX

Good morrow, noble sir.

Good morning, noble sir.

MACBETH

Good morrow, both.

Good morning to both of you.

MACDUFF

Is the king stirring, worthy thane?

Is the king awake, worthy thane?

MACBETH

Not yet.

MACBETH enters.

Not yet.

MACDUFF

He did command me to call timely on him. I have almost slipped the hour.

He commanded me to wake him up early. I've almost missed the time he requested.

MACBETH

I'll bring you to him.

MACDUFF

I know this is a joyful trouble to you, But yet 'tis one.

I know the burden of hosting him is both an honor and a trouble, but that doesn't mean it's not a trouble just the same.

MACBETH

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The labor we delight in physics pain. This is the door.

The work we enjoy is not really work. This is the door.

MACDUFF

I'll make so bold to call, For 'tis my limited service.

I'll wake him, because that's my job. Exit MACDUFF

MACDUFF exits.

LENNOX

Goes the king hence today?

Is the king leaving here today?

MACBETH

He does. He did appoint so.

He is. He told us to arrange it.

LENNOX

The night has been unruly. Where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard i' th' air, strange screams of death,

And prophesying with accents terrible Of dire combustion and confused events New hatched to the woeful time. The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night. Some say the Earth Was feverous and did shake.

The night has been chaotic. The wind blew down through the chimneys where we were sleeping. People are saying they heard cries of grief in the air, strange screams of death, and terrible voices predicting catastrophes that will usher in a woeful new age. The owl made noise all night. Some people say that the earth shook as if it had a fever.

MACBETH

'Twas a rough night.

It was a rough night.

LENNOX

My young remembrance cannot parallel A fellow to it.

I'm too young to remember anything like it. MACDUFF enters, upset.

Enter MACDUFF

MACDUFF

O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!

Oh, horror, horror, horror! This is beyond words and beyond belief!

MACBETH & LENNOX

What's the matter?

MACDUFF

Confusion now hath made his masterpiece. Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope The Lord's anointed temple, and stole thence The life o' th' building!

The worst thing imaginable has happened. A murderer has broken into God's temple and stolen the life out of it.

MACBETH

What is 't you say? “The life”?

LENNOX

Mean you his majesty?

Do you mean the king?

MACDUFF

What are you talking about? “The life”?

LENNOX

Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight 45 With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak. See, and then speak yourselves. Exeunt MACBETH and LENNOX Awake, awake! Ring the alarum bell. Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm! Awake! Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,

MACDUFF

Go into the bedroom and see for yourself. What's in there will make you freeze with horror. Don't ask me to talk about it. Go look and then do the talking yourselves. MACBETH and LENNOX exit. Wake up, wake up! Ring the alarm bell. Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm! Wake up! Shake off sleep, which looks like death, and look at death itself! Get up, get up, and look at this image of doomsday! Malcolm! Banquo! Get up

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And look on death itself! Up, up, and see The great doom's image! Malcolm! Banquo! 55

from your beds as if you were rising out of your own graves, and walk like ghosts to come witness this horror. Ring the bell.

As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites, To countenance this horror! Ring the bell Bell rings. Enter LADY MACBETH

A bell rings. LADY MACBETH enters.

LADY MACBETH

What's the business, That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!

What's going on? Why is that terrifying trumpet calling together everyone who's sleeping in the house? Speak up and tell me!

MACDUFF

O gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak: The repetition, in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell.

Oh gentle lady, my news isn't fit for your ears. If I repeated it to you, it would kill you as soon as you heard it.

Enter BANQUO

BANQUO enters.

O Banquo, Banquo, Our royal master's murdered!

Oh Banquo, Banquo, the king has been murdered!

LADY MACBETH

Woe, alas!

How horrible! What, in our own house?

What, in our house? BANQUO 65

BANQUO

Too cruel any where. Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, And say it is not so. Enter MACBETH, LENNOX, and ROSS

MACBETH and LENNOX reenter, with ROSS.

MACBETH

Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessĂ¨d time, for from this instant There's nothing serious in mortality. All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead. The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees Is left this vault to brag of. Enter MALCOLM and DONALBAIN

If I had only died an hour before this event I could say I had lived a blessed life. Because from this moment on, there is nothing worth living for. Everything is a sick joke. The graceful and renowned king is dead. The wine of life has been poured out, and only the dregs remain.

DONALBAIN

What is amiss?

What's wrong?

MACBETH

You are, and do not know 't. The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood Is stopped; the very source of it is stopped.

You are, but you don't know it yet. The source from which your royal blood comes has been stopped.

MACDUFF

Your royal father's murdered.

Your royal father is murdered.

MALCOLM

Oh, by whom?

It would be a terrible event no matter where it happened. Dear Macduff, I beg you, tell us you were lying and say it isn't so.

MALCOLM and DONALBAIN enter.

Who did it?

LENNOX

Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done 't. Their hands and faces were all badged with blood. So were their daggers, which unwiped we found Upon their pillows. They stared, and were distracted.

It seems that the guards who were supposed to be protecting his chamber did it. Their hands and faces were all covered with blood. So were their daggers, which we found on their pillows, unwiped. They stared at us in confusion. No one's life should

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No man's life was to be trusted with them.

have been entrusted to them.

MACBETH

Oh, yet I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them.

And yet I still regret the anger that drove me to kill them.

MACDUFF

Wherefore did you so?

What did you do that for?

MACBETH

Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate, and furious, Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. Th' expedition of my violent love

Is it possible to be wise, bewildered, calm, furious, loyal, and neutral all at once? Nobody can do that. The violent rage inspired by my love for Duncan caused me to act before I could

Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with his golden blood, And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature For ruin's wasteful entrance; there, the murderers,

think rationally and tell myself to pause. There was Duncan, his white skin all splattered with his precious blood. The gashes where the knives had cut him looked like wounds to nature itself. Then right next to him I saw the murderers, dripping with blood, their daggers rudely covered in gore. Who could have restrained himself, who loved Duncan and had the courage to act on it?

Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain, That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make 's love known? LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH

Help me hence, ho!

Help me out of here, quickly!

MACDUFF

Look to the lady.

Take care of the lady.

MALCOLM

(aside to DONALBAIN ) Why do we hold our tongues, 100 That most may claim this argument for ours?

(speaking so that only DONALBAIN can hear) Why are we keeping quiet? The two of us have the most to say in this matter.

DONALBAIN

(aside to MALCOLM) What should be spoken here, where our fate, Hid in an auger-hole, may rush and seize us? Let's away. Our tears are not yet brewed.

(speaking so that only MALCOLM can hear) What are we going to say here, where danger may be waiting to strike at us from anywhere? Let's get out of here. We haven't even begun to weep yetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but there will be time for that later.

MALCOLM

(aside to DONALBAIN) Nor our strong sorrow 105 Upon the foot of motion. BANQUO

Look to the lady. Exit LADY MACBETH, attended And when we have our naked frailties hid, That suffer in exposure, let us meet And question this most bloody piece of work, To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us. In the great hand of God I stand, 110 and thence Against the undivulged pretense I

(speaking so that only DONALBAIN can hear) And the time hasn't come yet for us to turn our deep grief into action. BANQUO

Take care of the lady. LADY MACBETH is carried out. When we're properly dressed for the cold, let's meet and discuss this bloody crime to see if we can figure anything out. Right now we're shaken up by fears and doubts. I'm putting myself in God's hands, and with his help I plan to fight against the secret plot that caused this treasonous murder.

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fight Of treasonous malice. MACDUFF

MACDUFF

And so do I.

So will I.

ALL

So all. MACBETH

MACBETH

Let's briefly put on manly readiness, 115 And meet i' th' hall together. ALL

Agreed. Everyone exits except MALCOLM and DONALBAIN.

MALCOLM

What will you do? Let's not consort with them. To show an unfelt sorrow is an office Which the false man does easy. I'll to England.

What are you going to do? Let's not stay here with them. It's easy for a liar to pretend to feel sorrow when he actually feels none. I'm going to England.

DONALBAIN

To Ireland, I. Our separated fortune keep us both the safer. Where we are, There's daggers in men's smiles. The near in blood, The nearer bloody.

I'll go to Ireland. We'll both be safer if we go separate ways. Wherever we go, men will smile at us while hiding daggers. Our closest relatives are the ones most likely to murder us.

MALCOLM

120 Shall

This murderous shaft that's shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way 125 Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse, And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, But shift away. There's warrant in that theft Which steals itself when there's no mercy left. Enter ROSS with an OLD MAN

Let's get dressed quickly and then meet in the hall. ALL

Well contented. Exeunt all but MALCOLM and DONALBAIN

So will we all.

We haven't yet encountered that danger, and the best thing to do is avoid it entirely. With that in mind, let's get on our horses. We'd better not worry about saying polite good-byes; we should just get away quickly. There's good reason to escape when there's no mercy to be found anymore. ROSS and an OLD MAN enter.

OLD MAN

Threescore and ten I can remember well, Within the volume of which time I have seen Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore night Hath trifled former knowings.

I can remember the past seventy years pretty well, and in all that time I have seen dreadful hours and strange things. But last night's horrors make everything that came before seem like a joke.

ROSS

Ha, good father, Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man's act, Threatens his bloody stage. By th' clock 'tis day, And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp. Is 't night's predominance or the day's shame That darkness does the face of Earth entomb When living light should kiss it?

Ah yes, old man. You can see the skies. They look like they're upset about what mankind has been doing, and they're threatening the Earth with storms. The clock says it's daytime, but dark night is strangling the sun. Is it because night is so strong, or because day is so weak, that darkness covers the earth when it's supposed to be light?

OLD MAN

'Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last, A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.

It's unnatural, just like the murder that has been committed. Last Tuesday a falcon was circling high in the sky, and it was caught and killed by an ordinary owl that usually goes after mice.

ROSS

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And Duncan's horsesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a thing most strange and certainâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would Make war with mankind.

And something else strange happened. Duncan's horses, which are beautiful and swift and the best of their breed, suddenly turned wild and broke out of their stalls. Refusing to be obedient as usual, they acted like they were at war with mankind.

OLD MAN

'Tis said they eat each other.

They say the horses ate each other.

ROSS

They did so, to th' amazement of mine eyes That looked upon 't. Here comes the good Macduff.

I saw it with my own eyes. It was an amazing sight. Here comes the good Macduff.

Enter MACDUFF How goes the world, sir, now? MACDUFF

How are things going now? MACDUFF

Why, see you not?

MACDUFF enters.

Can't you see for yourself?

ROSS

Is 't known who did this more than bloody deed?

Does anyone know who committed this horrible crime?

MACDUFF

Those that Macbeth hath slain.

The servants Macbeth killed.

ROSS

Alas, the day! What good could they pretend?

It's too bad he killed them. What good would it have done those men to kill Duncan?

MACDUFF

They were suborned. Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons, Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed.

They were paid to betray their master. Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons, have run away and fled, which makes them the prime suspects.

ROSS

'Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition, that will raven up Thine own lives' means! Then 'tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.

Everything about this is unnatural! What a stupid ambition, causing a son to kill the father who supports him. Then it looks like Macbeth will become king.

MACDUFF

He is already named and gone to Scone To be invested.

He has already been named king and has left for Scone to be crowned.

ROSS

Where is Duncan's body?

MACDUFF

Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones.

It was carried to Colmekill to be placed in the tomb of his

ROSS

Will you to Scone?

ancestors, where their bones are kept safe.

Are you going to Scone?

MACDUFF

No, cousin, I'll to Fife.

No, cousin, I'm going to Fife.

ROSS

Well, I will thither.

Well, I'll go to Scone.

MACDUFF 40

MACDUFF

Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu,

I hope things go well there. Good-bye! And let's hope things

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Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!

don't get worse.

ROSS

Farewell, father.

Farewell, old man.

OLD MAN

God's benison go with you and with those That would make good of bad and friends of foes.

May God's blessing go with you and with all who turn bad into good, and enemies into friends! They all exit.

Exeunt

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